Moving inlet nozzles in beverage systems

ABSTRACT

The brewing system disclosed herein includes a moving inlet nozzle for use in intermixing hot water and coffee in a coffee cartridge. The inlet nozzle may include one or more flow ports that inject hot water into an inner chamber of the coffee cartridge at select angles, locations and pressures to create the desired fluidized mixture of hot water and beverage medium.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of PCT/US15/15971, filed 13Feb. 2015 and entitled “Beverage Brewer and Related Methods for BrewingBeverages”, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/940,290, filed 14 Feb. 2014 and entitled “CoffeeBrewer and Related Methods for Brewing Beverages”.

The present application also claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/060,282, filed on 6 Oct. 2014 and entitled“Coffee Brewing System and Method of Using the Same”; U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/069,772, filed on 28 Oct. 2014 and entitled“Coffee Brewing System and Method of Using the Same”; U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/136,258, filed on 20 Mar. 2015 and entitled“Coffee Brewing System and Method of Using the Same”; and U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/230,508, filed on 5 Jun. 2015,entitled “Beverage Brewing Systems and Methods for Using the Same,” andU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/174,443, filed on 11 Jun. 2015,entitled “Beverage Brewing Systems and Methods for Using the Same.”

The present application also claims the benefit of PCT/US15/25013, filedApr. 8, 2015, entitled“Beverage Brewing Systems and Methods for Usingthe Same”.

The disclosures, figures, and subject matter of the above-identifiedpatent applications are expressly incorporated by reference herein intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to a liquid formingsystem and method of using the same. More specifically, the presentdisclosure relates to a coffee brewing system designed to brew asingle-serve or multi-serve coffee cartridge or the like.

2. Background

Some types of beverage forming devices such as coffee brewers use acartridge containing a slurry of beverage medium, e.g., ground coffee,to form a solution, e.g., beverage. In coffee brewers of this type,water (or other solvents), may be heated by the brewer and introducedinto the cartridge at the brewer head. The water (solvent) infuses withthe coffee grounds (slurry) in the cartridge, and extracts solutes(e.g., soluble portions of the slurry) or other materials from thecoffee grounds to form the solution (e.g., beverage), which is thenremoved from the cartridge for consumption. Coffee brewers of this typeuse a stationary inlet needle that pierces the top of the cartridge andinjects a relatively constant stream of hot water into the cartridge.This hot water stream may channel or tunnel through the ground coffeetherein and not fully extract some grounds while over-extracting othergrounds, resulting in a brewed beverage that can be bitter and can havean undesirable after taste. Coffee drinkers often try to mask thisundesirable bitter taste with additives such as sugar or cream.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes beverage and/or brewing systems, andspecifically systems for rotating, spinning or vertically oscillating aninlet nozzle within the interior of a beverage cartridge (e.g., asingle-serve cartridge), wherein the moving inlet nozzle delivers astream or spray of fluid, e.g., water, that wets and fluidizes at leasta portion of the beverage medium therein to create a brewed beverage(e.g., a cup of coffee).

A single-serve beverage making device in accordance with an aspect ofthe present disclosure comprises a pump and a beverage head coupled tothe pump. The beverage head comprises a receptacle, an inlet nozzle, andan outlet conduit. The receptacle is configured to selectively receive asealed container within the receptacle of the beverage head when thebeverage head is in a first position. The sealed container comprises anouter surface and an inner volume, and a beverage medium is containedwithin the inner volume of the sealed container.

The inlet nozzle is coupled to the pump and passes through the outersurface of the sealed container to couple at least a portion of theinlet nozzle to the inner volume of the sealed container when thebeverage head is in a second position. The sealed container issubstantially stationary with respect to the single serve beveragedevice while the beverage head is in the second position. While thebeverage head is in the second position, the pump delivers at least afirst fluid to an inner volume of the sealed container of beveragemedium in the receptacle of the beverage head through the inlet nozzlesuch that an at least second fluid comprising the at least first fluidand a quantity of beverage medium are combined within the inner volumeof the sealed container when the sealed container is present in thereceptacle of the beverage head.

The outlet conduit is coupled to the inner volume of the sealedcontainer of beverage medium and directs at least a portion of thesecond fluid out of the beverage head, such as to an externalreceptacle. For at least a portion of a time that the beverage head isin the second position, the inlet nozzle selectively moves with respectto the beverage medium while the inlet nozzle is passed through theouter surface of the sealed container and coupled to the inner volume ofthe sealed container, and when the at least first fluid is beingdelivered to the inner volume of the sealed container.

In one embodiment, the inlet nozzle itself may rotate or spin above orat least partially immersed within the coffee grounds. In anotherembodiment, the inlet nozzle may be stationary and include a centralrotating shaft that spins or rotates one or more blades or fans at oneend thereof to generate the fluidized mixture of hot water and coffee.

The above summary has outlined, rather broadly, some features andtechnical advantages of the present disclosure in order that thedetailed description that follows may be better understood. Additionalfeatures and advantages of the disclosure will be described below. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this disclosuremay be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing otherstructures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure.It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that suchequivalent constructions do not depart from the teachings of thedisclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features,which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as toits organization and method of operation, together with further objectsand advantages, will be better understood from the following descriptionwhen considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to beexpressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided forthe purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended asa definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, referenceis now made to the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a beveragebrewer in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a beverage brewer,illustrating a lid of a brewer head in an open position in accordancewith an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of the brewer head taken about circle 6in FIG. 2, further illustrating rotation or spinning motion of an inletnozzle;

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate a beverage cartridge that may be employed withthe beverage brewer in an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the brewer head taken about the line7-7 in FIG. 2, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the brewer head, illustrating a motor forrotating the inlet nozzle in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance withan aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance withan aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is across-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance with anaspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance withan aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance withan aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance withan aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance withan aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance withan aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance withan aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance withan aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a brewer head in accordance with anaspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 illustrates a block diagram of a beverage brewer in accordancewith an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 illustrates a flow diagram showing possible steps used in anembodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 20 illustrates an inlet nozzle in accordance with an aspect of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below, in connection with theappended drawings, is intended as a description of variousconfigurations and is not intended to represent the only configurationsin which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detaileddescription includes specific details for the purpose of providing athorough understanding of the various concepts. It will be apparent tothose skilled in the art, however, that these concepts may be practicedwithout these specific details. In some instances, well-known structuresand components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoidobscuring such concepts. As described herein, the use of the term“and/or” is intended to represent an “inclusive OR”, and the use of theterm “or” is intended to represent an “exclusive OR”.

Overview of Single-Serve Beverage System

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a beveragebrewer in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

A beverage brewer 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, may be designed for usewith container-based beverage cartridges, such as single-serve coffeecartridges. The beverage brewer 10 may include a generally uprighthousing 12 having a base or platen 14 extending out at the bottom andpositioned generally below an outwardly extending brewer head (alsoreferred to as a “beverage head” herein) 16.

The vertical distance between the platen 14 and the brewer head 16 (alsoreferred to as a “brew head 16” or a “beverage head 16” herein) canadequately accommodate a coffee mug or other external receptacle fordelivery of the beverage from the beverage brewer 10. In some aspects ofthe present disclosure, the receptacle may be capable of retaining atleast 6 oz. of beverage, and possibly 10 oz. or more of beverage. Thehousing 12 may further comprise a rear housing 18 having a gravity-fedand/or other type of water reservoir 20 on one side and an outer shell22 that houses or protects the internal features of the beverage brewer10, including, for example, the conduit system between the waterreservoir 20 and the brewer head 16. Such features within the housing 12of the beverage brewer 10 may generally include a fluid conduit system,a pump, and/or a heating element, in order to deliver a fluid from thereservoir 20 (or other source) to the brewer head 16 and/or to thereceptacle external to the beverage brewer 10.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a beverage brewer, illustrating a lid ofa brewer head in an open position (also referred to as a first position,second position, and/or access position herein) in accordance with anaspect of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the brewer head 16may be a clam-shell structure including a stationary lower supportmember 24 and a movable upper member or lid 26 that pivots relative tothe lower support member 24 about a hinge 28. The scope of the presentdisclosure includes embodiments where the lower support member 24 andthe lid 26 may both be movable, or that the lower support member 24 maybe movable relative to a stationary lid 26. Additionally, the lowersupport member 24 and/or the lid 26 may pivot or rotate about the commonhinge 28, or separate hinges or points within the beverage brewer 10.

The lower support member 24 and the lid 26 are selectively opened andclosed and form a brew chamber therebetween during a brew cycle (alsoknown as a preparation cycle) for selective retention of a beveragecartridge 32 in a receptacle 30 of the brewer head 16. The beveragecartridge 32 may include any liquid medium known in the art, including,but not limited to, liquid and/or beverage medium used to form varioustypes of coffee, espresso, tea, hot chocolate, lemonade and otherfruit-based drinks, carbonated drinks such as soda, soups and otherliquid foods, etc.

In this respect, FIG. 1 illustrates the lid 26 engaged with the lowersupport member 24 such that the brewer head 16 is in the closed orlocked position (also referred to as a brewing position, first position,and/or second position herein). A jaw lock 176 includes an externallyaccessible release button 172 which may be at or near the brewer head 16and configured for hand manipulation. To open the brewer head 16, a userpresses or otherwise activates the release button 172. Activation of therelease button 172 selectively disengages the jaw lock 176 when thebrewer head 16 is in the closed position shown in FIG. 1. Once therelease button 172 is pressed, so long as the brewer head 16 is not in apreparation cycle or other operational mode that prevents opening of thebrewer head 16, the lid 26 is able to pivot away from the lower supportmember 24 which allows access to the receptacle 30. In the positionshown in FIG. 2, a user may selectively insert or remove a beveragecartridge 32.

To close the brewer head 16, the user may again activate the releasebutton 172, and/or may push on the lid 26 to move the lid 26 closer tothe lower support member 24. If the beverage brewer 10 senses a beveragecartridge 32 in the receptacle 30, or upon a user initiating closure ofthe lid 26 and/or a preparation cycle, the jaw lock 176 may selectivelylock during a brew cycle and/or preparation cycle to prevent any liquiddelivered by the beverage brewer 10 from being expelled by the beveragebrewer 10 external to the receptacle located proximate to the platen 14.In this respect, the contact between the lower support member 24 and thejaw lock 176 selectively holds the brewer head 16 closed as shown inFIG. 1.

The beverage brewer 10 also comprises an inlet nozzle 44 that generallyextends downwardly out from underneath the lid 26, as shown within thebrewer head 16. The inlet nozzle 44 is coupled to, e.g., in fluidcommunication with, a conduit system, e.g., the pump 134, for injectingat least a first fluid, such as turbulent or laminar hot water andsteam, a liquid such as water and/or milk, or other gas and/or otherliquid in a fluid or semi-fluid form, into the beverage cartridge 32through the inlet nozzle 44. Although described as the inlet nozzle 44herein, the inlet nozzle 44 may be a needle, spine, spout, spigot, jet,projection, spike, and/or other inlet means for delivering the at leastfirst fluid to a beverage medium 78.

Preparation Cycle for Making Beverages

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of the brewer head taken about circle 6in FIG. 2, further illustrating rotation or spinning motion of an inletnozzle in an aspect of the present disclosure.

As mentioned above, to prepare the beverage brewer 10 for a brew cycle(also referred to a preparation cycle), the lid 26 is moved from aclosed position (shown in FIG. 1) to an open position (shown in FIG. 2).When in an open or first position, the beverage cartridge 32 can beinserted into and/or removed from the receptacle 30. The receptacle 30is configured to selectively receive and accept the beverage cartridge32 within the receptacle 30 of the brewer head 16 when the brewer head16 is in the open position shown in FIG. 2. The beverage cartridge 32generally comprises a sealed container including an outer surface and aninner volume or chamber, although the beverage cartridge 32 can alsoinclude unsealed containers. A beverage medium 78, such as coffee, tea,soup, chocolate, etc., is contained within the inner volume of thebeverage cartridge 32.

The lid 24 of the beverage brewer 10 may comprise an encapsulation cap46 having a diameter sized for at least partial slide-fit insertion overthe receptacle 30 to encapsulate and retain the beverage cartridge 32therebetween. The beverage cartridge 32 may thus be held in asubstantially stationary position with respect to the beverage brewer 10device while the brewer head 16 is in the closed position, although itis understood that the beverage cartridge 32 can be held in asubstantially stationary position via other means, and/or can benon-stationary.

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate a beverage cartridge that may be employed withthe beverage brewer in an aspect of the present disclosure.

It is understood that a beverage cartridge, such as the beveragecartridge 32, is not required for operation of systems and methodsaccording to the present disclosure. A beverage cartridge 32 may beemployed within an aspect of the present disclosure. Further, othertypes of containers or uncontained mediums can also be used inembodiments of the present invention, such as soft pods, sealed orunsealed packets containing a liquid medium (e.g., coffee grounds), teabags, grounds or leaves, etc. Beverage cartridge 32 may allow for easierbrewing or making of beverages. Beverage cartridge 32 may comprise anouter surface 48 and an inner chamber 50. Beverage medium 78 may becontained or otherwise located within the inner chamber 50 (alsoreferred to as an inner volume herein) of the beverage cartridge 32.Other features, such as a filter, etc., may also be included in theinner chamber 50 of the beverage cartridge 32, to filter coffee grounds,tea leaves, etc., that may be part of the beverage medium 78 not desiredin a final beverage or liquid.

FIG. 4A illustrates an open or exposed inner chamber 50. As shown inFIG. 4B, beverage cartridge 32 may also comprise a cover 49. Cover 49may comprise foil or other material to seal the beverage cartridge 32from external environments that may be deleterious to the beveragemedium 78 in the inner chamber 50. As such, beverage cartridge 32 may besealed against air, water, or other external hazards until one or moreentry points are made to access the inner chamber 50. Beveragecartridges 32, such as those that comprise a cover 49 and/or compriseone or more sealed inner chambers 50, may use a needle or otherinstrument, such as inlet nozzle 44, to direct a fluid into and/or outof the inner chamber(s) 50 of the beverage cartridge 32. Beveragecartridge 32 also comprises a height 51, also referred to as a verticalheight herein. It is understood that while the beverage cartridge 32 isa sealed container, many different types of cartridges and/or mediumscan be used.

FIG. 4C illustrates an aspect of the present disclosure where thebeverage cartridge 32 is accessed by the inlet nozzle 44 and/or theoutlet conduit 400. The outlet conduit 400 is coupled to the brewer head16, and is selectively coupled to the beverage cartridge 32 when thebrewer head 16 is in a certain position. The outlet conduit 400 cancomprise a point 402 that, when the lid 26 is pushed downward toward thelower support member 24 or the lid 26 is otherwise closed as shown byarrow 404, the beverage cartridge 32 is pressed onto the point 402, andthe outlet conduit 400 now has access to the inner chamber 50 of thebeverage cartridge 32. Alternatively, the beverage cartridge 32 may bepressed onto the point 402 upon user placement of the beverage cartridge32 into the brewer head receptacle 30. Many different embodiments arepossible as would be understood by one of skill in the art, and it isalso contemplated that an outlet conduit according to the presentinvention can access a medium, such as a medium within a beveragecartridge, with or without a point 402.

The lid 26 can be pushed downward toward the lower support member 24such that the inlet nozzle 44 is placed proximate the beverage medium78, and in some embodiments, at least below a level of the height 51 ofthe beverage cartridge 32. In one such system and method according tothe disclosure, the lid 26 is pushed downward toward the lower supportmember 24 and/or is closed, e.g., such that the lid 26 is locked and/orotherwise sealed against the lower support member 24 as shown in FIG. 1.In embodiments where the beverage medium 78 is contained in a soft pod,bag, filter, or other device where beverage cartridge 32 is not used,the inlet nozzle 44 may be placed proximate to the beverage medium 78 todirect the fluid from the flow port 74 toward the beverage medium 78. Inembodiments where the beverage cartridge 32 comprises a cover 49, theinlet nozzle 44 may pierce the beverage cartridge 32, either through thecover 49 or through another portion of the outer surface 48, whichprovides the flow port 74 with access to the inner chamber 50 of thebeverage cartridge 32. Where the beverage cartridge 32 is open, e.g.,does not comprise cover 49 or the beverage medium is otherwiseaccessible to the inlet nozzle 44 without breaking or puncturingbeverage cartridge 32, the inlet nozzle 44 may be placed proximate tothe beverage medium 78 in the beverage cartridge 32. The proximateplacement of inlet nozzle 44 to the beverage medium 78 includes theinlet nozzle 44 being partially or fully immersed in the beverage medium78 as well as being maintained at a level above and/or near a top of thebeverage medium 78, whether or not the beverage medium 78 is containedin a beverage cartridge 32. In an aspect of the present disclosure, theinlet nozzle 44 pierces the beverage cartridge 32 approximately on acenter line 406 of the beverage cartridge 32, e.g., through the cover49, although it is understood that, in other embodiments, an inletnozzle 44 may puncture the beverage cartridge 32 in off-center locationsor other locations of the outer surface 48 of the beverage cartridge 32.At a desired time, the inlet nozzle 44 may be rotated as shown by arrow408 while coupled to the inner chamber 50. In such situations, thebeverage cartridge may be substantially stationary with respect to thebeverage brewer 10, as motion of both the inlet nozzle 44 and thebeverage cartridge 32 may result in fluid from the beverage cartridge 32being directed somewhere other than the outlet conduit 400. However, inother embodiments, it may be desirable to move both the inlet nozzle 44and the beverage cartridge 32, e.g., simultaneously. For manyapplications, delivery of fluid from the beverage cartridge somewhereother than outlet conduit 400 is undesired.

Operation of the Beverage Brewer

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the brewer head taken about the line7-7 in FIG. 2 in an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates at least some of the internal fluid, e.g., water,steam, etc., flow paths in the beverage brewer 10 that pass through thebrewer head 16, the inlet nozzle 44, and a plurality of flow ports 74,and into the inner chamber 50 of a container-based beverage cartridge32. As described with respect to FIG. 4C, When the lid 26 is pivoted tothe closed position shown in FIG. 1, the inlet nozzle 44 iscorrespondingly moved into a position to puncture or otherwise passthrough an outer surface 48 of the beverage cartridge 32 and extend downinto an inner beverage medium-filled chamber 50 of the beveragecartridge 32.

When the brewer head 16 is in the closed position, the inlet nozzle 44may be rotated by a motor 52 or other means coupled to the inlet nozzle44 for at least a portion of the time while fluid is being delivered tothe inner volume of the sealed container or for at least a portion ofthe time that the beverage brewer 10 is in the closed position. The sameor different motor or means may also selectively vertically move orposition the inlet nozzle 44 with respect to the beverage cartridge 32and/or the beverage medium 78.

The inlet nozzle 44 in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure may comprise a blunt or rounded nose 54 that force piercesthe surface 48 to permit entry of the inlet nozzle 44 into the interiorof the beverage cartridge 32. The nose of the inlet nozzle 44 may besharpened, e.g., with jagged edges, having a point on the inlet nozzle44, etc., to make the piercing of the outer surface 48 easier, but sucha sharp or jagged edge may be less desirable since such an embodimentcarries an inherently higher risk of user injury when the inlet nozzle44 is exposed to the user as shown in FIG. 2.

The brewer head 16 may further include a gasket 56 having a concentricaperture with an inner diameter sized to snugly slide-fit around theexterior surface diameter of the inlet nozzle 44. The gasket 56 may bemade from any sealing material, e.g., rubber, silicone, other food-safematerials, etc. In an aspect of the present disclosure, FIG. 5 shows thegasket 56 with a generally larger mushroom-shaped head 58 forming aledge or step 60 that has a relatively smaller diameter neck 62including an outer diameter sized for snug slide-fit reception into acorresponding aperture 64 in the brewer head 16 permitting extension ofthe inlet nozzle 44 into the beverage cartridge 32. In this respect, thegasket 56 pressure seals the inlet nozzle 44 relative to the interior ofthe brewer head 16 and related hot water conduit system. Other shapedgaskets are possible within the scope of the present disclosure.

A fluid conduit 66 (also referred to as a hot water conduit 66 herein)terminates at an upper end 68 of the inlet nozzle 44 and is generallyaligned with an inlet channel 70 bored into the exterior diameter of theinlet nozzle 44. The inlet channel is coupled to, e.g., in fluidcommunication with, a central shaft 72 that channels fluid water fromthe upper end 68 toward the nose 54 and out through one or more flowports 74. O-rings 76, 76′ may be positioned on each side of the inletchannel 70 to assist in minimizing leakage from pressurized fluidleaving the fluid conduit 66 for flow into the inlet channel 70.

The inlet channel 70 may be a reduced diameter bore that remains coupledwith the fluid conduit 66 during the preparation cycle, and may remaincoupled to the fluid conduit 66 while the inlet nozzle 44 spins orrotates within the beverage cartridge 32. As such, any fluid deliveredto the beverage cartridge 32 through the inlet nozzle 44 while the inletnozzle 44 is spinning or rotating may cause the beverage medium 78 tomove as described herein. Accordingly, in this arrangement, a motor 52couples to the upper end 68 and rotates or spins the inlet nozzle 44during a brew cycle to rotate or spin the one or more flow ports 74within the beverage cartridge 32 to more thoroughly mix the fluiddelivered through inlet nozzle 44 with the beverage medium 78. Asecondary fluid, comprising a mixture of the fluid delivered through theinlet nozzle 44 and a portion of the beverage medium 78, is thus createdduring the preparation cycle. The secondary fluid may be, for example,coffee, tea, etc., where the secondary fluid does not include, orincludes only limited, solids from the beverage medium 78 (e.g., coffeegrounds, tea leaves, etc.). In other words, some of the beverage medium78 may remain in the beverage cartridge 32 after mixture with the fluiddelivered through the inlet nozzle 44, whether or not the inlet nozzle44 is rotated or otherwise moved while coupled to the inner chamber ofthe beverage cartridge 32. This secondary fluid may be referred to as a“fluidized mixture” herein.

The embodiment of the present disclosure shown in FIG. 5 illustratesfour flow ports 74, but the inlet nozzle 44 may have as few as one flowport 74 or more than four flow ports 74 without departing from the scopeof the present disclosure. The ports 74 may be structured or otherwisedesigned to inject fluid (e.g., hot water) into the beverage cartridge32 in a variety of different ways, including an upward stream or sprayand/or a downward stream or spray. Rotational movement of the inletnozzle 44 and the injection stream or spray of hot water from the nozzle44 may create a fluidized mixture of hot water and coffee within theinterior of the beverage cartridge 32. As such, an aspect of thebeverage brewer of the present disclosure described herein helpsminimize channeling and/or overexposure of beverage medium (e.g., coffeegrounds) during the preparation cycle. At least with respect to coffee,this may substantially reduce unwanted flavors and/or tastes, such asthe bitter taste often associated with single-serve coffee brewers.Further, rotation of the inlet nozzle 44 within the beverage medium 78in an aspect of the present disclosure may also produce a noticeablelayer of coffee crema after the brewed coffee dispenses from the brewerhead 16 into the receptacle (e.g., mug, cup, etc.) proximate the platen14.

Nozzle Rotation

FIG. 6 is a top view of the brewer head, illustrating a motor forrotating the inlet nozzle in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure.

From the perspective of FIG. 6, the top view of the brewer head 16illustrates a top mounted motor 52 that may be used to rotate the inletnozzle 44 (which is located opposite the view shown in FIG. 6) 360degrees at a constant speed (typically measured in revolutions perminute, or RPMs) or at variable speeds (e.g., higher RPMs when the brewcycle first initiates and relatively slower RPMs closer to the end ofthe brew cycle, or vice versa). Alternatively, the motor 52 may onlypartially rotate or pivot the inlet nozzle 44 (e.g., 300 degrees), thenstop and reverse rotation (e.g., an opposite 300 degrees). This same orsimilar partial rotational feature may also be accomplished through useof a solenoid (not shown), as opposed to the motor 52.

The motor 52 is shown next to the entry point of the hot water conduit66. In this embodiment, hot water flow to the brewer head 16 may beregulated by a solenoid 83. FIG. 6 also illustrates the extension spring45 coupled within the interior of the lid 26, which urges the lid 26 topivot from the closed position shown in FIG. 1 to the open positionshown in FIG. 2 when the jaw clip 36 is released.

For example, and not by way of limitation, the inlet nozzle 44 mayrotate at variable speeds within a brew cycle, or may rotate at aconstant speed for part of a brew cycle and for another portion of thebrew cycle the inlet nozzle 44 may rotate at variable speeds or in adifferent direction. As discussed herein, the present disclosure alsoenvisions that the inlet nozzle 44 may do more than rotate about its owncentral axis; the inlet nozzle 44 may oscillate, nutate, rotate about anon-central axis such as an axis remote from the inlet nozzle 44 itself,or otherwise move within the brewer head 16 (including combinations ofthe movements mentioned above), whether or not the inlet nozzle 44 isinserted into the beverage cartridge 32, at least in part to agitate,move, or otherwise assist in the infusion of the fluids from the inletnozzle 44 with the beverage medium 78. The inlet nozzle 44 may be moved,rotated, nutated, oscillated, vibrated, or subjected to any combinationof various motions based on the brew cycle duration, type of beveragecartridge 32, water temperature, or other factors as desired to create adesired mixture of the beverage medium 78 with one or more fluidsdelivered through the inlet nozzle 44.

Further, a “rotation” may only be a partial rotation, rotation or motionin a different direction, or movement about one or more different axesof the inlet nozzle 44 or about an axis of another device (e.g., themotor 52) of the beverage system 10. The present disclosure alsoenvisions various methods for moving the inlet nozzle 44. As describedwith respect to FIG. 8, the inlet nozzle 44 may be attached to a motor52, and thus the inlet nozzle 44 is rotated as the motor 52 isenergized. However, the inlet nozzle 44 may be stationary and attachedto another device that is part of the beverage system that moves. Inthis particular embodiment, the inlet nozzle 44 may move with respect tothe beverage medium 78, the inner chamber 50, and/or the beveragecartridge 32. In one such embodiment, the beverage cartridge 32 issubstantially stationary relative to the beverage brewer 10.

Inlet Nozzle Configurations

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in an aspect of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a pressurized fluid flow 84, e.g., hot water, steam,or other fluids as provided by a pump or other pressure source internalor external to beverage brewer 10, flowing through the interior of theinlet nozzle 44 toward the nose 54. In this embodiment, the pressurizedhot water flow 84 contacts an angled or concave interior portion of thenose 54 as shown and is ejected out therefrom as the stream or spray 80through one or more of the flow ports 74′. In this respect, a person ofordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the interior ofthe nose 54 can be shaped as desired to obtain the desired direction andintensity of directional outflow or spray 80. The inlet nozzle 44 mayrotate about its axis, or otherwise move, such that the stream or spray80 fluidizes and rotates the beverage medium 78 (e.g., ground coffee) inthe beverage cartridge 32.

FIG. 8 is another cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordancewith another aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment wherein the shaft of the inlet nozzle44 is stationary and includes a spinning or rotating platform 86designed to disperse the incoming flow 84 into the aforementioned streamor spray 80. In this embodiment, the platform 86 may include a shaft 88coupled to the motor 52 and driven at a constant or variable rate (RPM)to attain substantial rotational fluidized mixture of the hot water andbeverage medium 78 in the beverage cartridge 32. The platform may becoupled to the nose 54 if desired. The platform 86 may also haveserrations or other surface features to disperse the incoming flow 84 asdesired.

FIG. 9 is another cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordancewith an aspect of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 9, a modified platform 86′ may include one or morestraight or angled fans or blades 90 attached or otherwise extendingtherefrom and configured to be hydraulically driven by the pressurizedfluid flow 84 travelling through the interior of the inlet nozzle 44. Inthis embodiment, the fluid flow 84 contacts the blades 90 and causes themodified platform 86′ to spin or rotate about its shaft 88′ in acomparable manner as if driven by the motor 52 in response to the fluidflow 84 contacting the blades 90. This embodiment may be employed as amechanism for saving energy and/or cost related to the installation, useand power requirements of the motor 52.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordance withanother aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates an aspect of the present disclosure wherein fourflow ports 74 are positioned generally horizontal and perpendicular tothe vertical length of the inlet nozzle 44 and generally opposite oneanother. The embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated in FIG. 10provides for a stream or spray 80 exiting the inlet nozzle 44 that isgenerally tangential to the inlet nozzle 44. More than or less than fourflow ports 74 can be used.

FIG. 11 is another cross-sectional view of an inlet nozzle in accordancewith an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment wherein four flow ports74′″ channel the fluid flow 84 out from the inlet nozzle 44 at an acuteangle. The discharge angle from the inlet nozzle may vary between thegenerally tangential flow (e.g., 90 degree turn) shown in FIG. 9 andnear parallel flow (e.g., on the order of 5 or 10 degrees) as shown inFIG. 11 (not to scale). The discharge angle of the flow ports could, ofcourse, be the reverse of the acute angles shown in FIG. 11, or at anydesired angle with respect to the inlet nozzle 44. As shown in FIG. 11,the inlet nozzle 44 produces a downwardly projecting stream or spray ofincoming fluid flow 84 into the beverage cartridge 32. Rotation or othermovement of the inlet nozzle 44 then changes location that the dischargefrom the inlet nozzle 44 contacts the inner chamber 50 of the beveragecartridge 32, which may aid in the fluidization of the beverage medium78 in the inner chamber.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are cross-sectional views of inlet nozzles in accordancewith various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of the present disclosure wherein aplurality of flow ports 74″″ are oriented to direct the stream or spray80 in an upward manner at angles larger than 90 degrees relative to theincoming flow 84, and upwards of 170 or 175 degrees relative to theincoming fluid flow 84. Other angles of stream or spray 80 are possiblewithin the scope of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 13, the inlet nozzle 44 could include a mixture of theflow ports 74-74″″. FIG. 13 illustrates an inlet nozzle 44 comprisinghorizontal flow ports 74 that produce tangential outward flow of thestream or spray 80, the downwardly facing or acute flow ports 74′″ thatdirect the stream or spray 80 in a downward or acute manner relative tothe incoming fluid flow 84, and upwardly facing or obtuse flow ports74″″ that direct the stream or spray 80 in an upward or obtuse mannerrelative to the incoming fluid flow 84. Of course, each of the flowports 74-74″″ can be mixed and matched as desired along the length ofthe inlet nozzle 44 or the nose 54 to attain the desired outward flow offluid to adequately mix and fluidize the beverage medium 78 within thebeverage cartridge 32 during the preparation cycle. The pressuredelivered to the flow ports 74-74″″ can also be constant or variableduring the course of the preparation cycle.

The beverage brewer 10 may initiate incoming fluid flow 84 through theinlet nozzle 44 prior to rotation or movement of the inlet nozzle 44 toprevent clogging any of the flow ports 74-74″″ at the start of thepreparation cycle. In some embodiments, the flow ports 74-74″″ may be ofa shape and size such that they may collect beverage medium 78 as theinlet nozzle 44 spins, similar to a scoop or receptacle. The collectedbeverage medium 78 may occlude the flow ports 74-74″″, therebysubstantially occluding or otherwise preventing fluid from adequatelyexiting the inlet nozzle 44. Initiating fluid flow 84 may allow thepressurized fluid 84 to establish an exit stream that otherwise preventsbeverage medium 78 from entering the flow ports 74-74″″, tosubstantially reduce or eliminate the potential for the beverage medium78 to block any one of the flow ports 74-74″″. Similarly, the beveragebrewer 10 may stop rotation of the inlet nozzle 44 before stopping theflow of fluid flow 84 water through any of the flow ports 74-74″″ toflush any beverage medium 78 away from the flow ports 74-74″″ at the endof the preparation cycle. In some embodiments, the delay after fluidflow exiting the inlet nozzle 44 and the before the beginning of inletnozzle 44 movement can be a non-zero time of less than two seconds. Inanother embodiment this time is 0.1 to 1.0 second, and in anotherembodiment this time is 0.5 second. Similarly, in some embodiments, thedelay between cessation of inlet nozzle 44 movement and the cessation offluid flow can be a non-zero time of less than two seconds; 0.1 to 1.0second; and/or 0.5 second. Under certain circumstances, this goal can beachieved by beginning fluid flow and inlet nozzle 44 movementsimultaneously. Additionally, it may be advantageous to initiate fluidflow when the flow ports 74-74″″ are at a position above the beveragemedium 78 (e.g., before the flow ports 74-74″″ are in contact with thebeverage medium 78), and then move the inlet nozzle 44 into contact withthe beverage medium 78 and/or move the inlet nozzle 44 to a positionproximate to the beverage medium 78 after flow has begun.

FIG. 14 is an alternative cross-sectional view of the inlet nozzle inaccordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment wherein the flow ports are elongatedand form one or more exit channels 92. The exit channels 92 may beparticularly configured to attain a wider or open flow of the stream orspray 80 as shown in FIG. 14. The elongated channel 92 may track thevertical height 51 (shown in FIG. 4B) of the beverage cartridge 32 by aslittle as 50% of the vertical height 51 and by as much as 95% of thevertical height 51, although embodiments of less than 50% and above 95%are contemplated. The elongated channels 92 may be centered within theinner chamber 50, but the channels 92 may also be at a staggered heightrelative to the beverage cartridge 32 sidewalls, or staggered relativeto each other if more than one channel 92 is configured in the inletnozzle 44. In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 14, the elongated channel92 may be able to better disperse fluid flow 84, e.g., laminar orturbulent hot water, into the inner chamber 50 such as, e.g., when theinlet nozzle 44 rotates, spins, or otherwise moves within the beveragecartridge 32.

FIG. 15 is another cross-sectional view of the inlet nozzle inaccordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 15, the flow port of the inlet nozzle 44 may be in theform of a downwardly extending spiral channel 94 that generally tracksthe outer periphery of the inlet nozzle 44. The number and orientationof the flow ports 74-74″″, the elongated channels 92 and the spiralchannel 94 may be mixed and matched as desired in a given beveragebrewer 10 to obtain the desired stream or spray 80 exiting the inletnozzle 44. For example, and not by way of limitation, the flow ports74-74″″ or the channels 92, 94 could be staggered, positioned oppositeone another, or positioned at various angles (e.g., every 30, 60 or 90degrees) along a given inlet nozzle 44.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an inlet nozzle inaccordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of the inlet nozzle 44, including atleast one, and in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16, a plurality ofserrations 178 disposed or otherwise formed along the outer periphery ofthe inlet nozzle 44 for agitating the beverage medium 78 in thecartridge 32. The serrations 178 preferably act as paddles that stir orotherwise move the beverage medium 78 and heated water in the beveragecartridge 32 during the preparation cycle. Such agitation with theserrations 178 may enhance fluidized mixing of the beverage medium 78with the incoming fluid flow 84, which may provide a more homogeneouswetting and/or heating of the beverage medium 78 and more consistentflavor extraction. The serrations 178 may be any shape known in the art(e.g., rectangular, triangular, hemispherical, blade-shaped, etc.).Moreover, the serrations 178 may extend outwardly from the periphery ofthe inlet nozzle 44 or may be cut into the periphery thereof. Theperiphery of the inlet nozzle 44 may also be smooth, or may comprisesome smooth portions and some serrations 178 as desired to produce adesired flow of incoming fluid flow 84 with the beverage medium 78and/or a desired agitation or extraction of flavors from beverage medium78.

Any combination of the flow ports, channels, and/or serrations shown inFIGS. 7 through 16 is possible with a moving inlet nozzle 44 within thescope of the present disclosure.

Additional and/or Alternate Nozzle Movement

FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the brewer head in anaspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 illustrates another embodiment where the inlet nozzle 44vertically oscillates instead of, or in addition to, spinning and/orrotating. The beverage brewer 10 may comprise an inlet nozzle solenoid174 that causes the inlet nozzle 44 to vertically oscillate as generallyillustrated in FIG. 17. The inlet nozzle 44 slidably or otherwisecouples to the lid 26 and is generally spring biased in an upperposition. The solenoid 174 may extend an oscillation shaft 176 down intocontact with the inlet nozzle 44, thereby forcing the inlet nozzle 44downwardly against the return force of the spring and into an extendedposition.

The solenoid 174 then retracts the oscillation shaft 176, and thespring-bias returns the inlet nozzle 44 to the upper position. Thebeverage brewer 10 may pulse the solenoid 174, thereby causing the inletnozzle 44 to move up and down at a predetermined or desired rate. In oneembodiment, the inlet nozzle 44 may move up and down at a rate of 50-70Hertz, such as a rate of 60 Hertz, as 60 Hertz is the frequency used forpower delivery in the United States, thereby simplifying the coupling ofthe solenoid 174 to a frequency source. The inlet nozzle 44 mayvertically oscillate at any rate within the scope of the presentdisclosure, and the vertical oscillation rate may change during thecourse of a brew cycle. The beverage brewer 10 may alternately use a camor other means to vertically oscillate the inlet nozzle 44 in accordancewith the embodiments described herein. In another alternativeembodiment, the inlet nozzle 44 may also simultaneously verticallyoscillate and rotate, as described above, at least in part to assist inthe agitation or movement of beverage medium 78. Indeed, many differentcombinations of inlet nozzle 44 movement as described herein arepossible.

Processor Control of Beverage Brewer

FIG. 18 illustrates a block diagram of a beverage brewer in accordancewith an aspect of the present disclosure.

Beverage brewer 10, as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 18, may be coupledto a fluid source 500. The fluid source 500 may be a reservoir that isincluded within and/or attached to a beverage brewer 10, but such afluid source may also be the water supply for a home or building, afiltered water supply, a carbon dioxide (CO₂) line, or other fluidsource as desired. Further, more than one fluid source 500 may becoupled to the beverage brewer 10.

A pump 502 is coupled to the fluid source 500. The pump may providepressure to the fluid 504 within the beverage brewer 10, such that thepump 500 delivers the fluid 504, e.g., water, milk, CO₂, etc., at adesired, known, and/or predetermined pressure to the remainder of thebeverage brewer 10.

The pump 502 is coupled to a heater 506, and delivers fluid 504 toheater 506 for those fluids 504 that may need to be heated prior todelivery to the beverage cartridge 32. Heater 506 heats (or optionallycools) the fluid 504 as desired. Heater 506, when employed by thebeverage brewer 10, delivers the heated or otherwise processed fluid 504to the inlet nozzle 44.

When the brewer head 16 is in the proper position (i.e., the closedposition shown in FIG. 1), at least a portion of the inlet nozzle 44 iscoupled to the inner chamber 50 of the beverage cartridge 44. Fluid 504that is delivered to the inlet nozzle 44 may then be delivered to theinner chamber of the beverage cartridge 32.

During at least a portion of the time that the brewer head 16 is in theclosed position, motor 52 and/or other means within beverage brewer 10,may spin, rotate, nutate, vibrate, oscillate, or otherwise move inletnozzle 44, such as the movements previously described. Fluid 504delivered through the moving inlet nozzle 44 may then move the beveragemedium 78 (as shown in FIGS. 5 and 16) to assist in the fluidizingand/or mixture of fluid 504 with beverage medium 78.

The outlet conduit 400 is also coupled to the inner chamber 50 of thebeverage cartridge 32 when the brewer head is in the closed position. Assuch, as the fluidization of fluid 504 and beverage medium 78 occurs, asecondary fluid 508 is delivered from the inner chamber 50 of thebeverage cartridge 32 to a receptacle 510, e.g., a coffee mug, glass,cup, or other container that may be external to the beverage medium 10.The beverage brewer 10 may also comprise receptacle 510, e.g., a carafe,etc., however, in many applications the receptacle eventually is usedexternally to the beverage brewer 10.

The pump 502, motor 52, heater 506, brewer head 16, and, optionally, thefluid source 500, are coupled to a processor 512. The processor 512 isfurther coupled, either internally or externally, to a memory 514. Theprocessor 512 provides computer-based control of the pump 502, motor 52,and heater 506, and may control other components within beverage brewer10.

For example, and not by way of limitation, the processor 512 may receivea signal or other input from a sensor coupled to the fluid source 500,to indicate to the beverage brewer 10 that there is not enough fluid 504available to brew a beverage. The processor 512 may then prevent thebeverage brewer 10 from initiating a preparation cycle for a beveragecartridge 32.

Further, the processor 512 may sense a particular type of beveragecartridge 32 present in the brewer head 16. Once the type of beveragecartridge 32 is known, the processor 512 may provide different inputs tothe pump 502, motor 52, heater 506, or other components in the beveragebrewer 10 to change one or more variables in the mixture of fluid 504and the beverage medium in the particular beverage cartridge 32. Theprocessor 512 may increase or decrease the speed of rotation of motor52, may insert the inlet nozzle 44 further into the beverage container32, provide pulsed or different types of current to the pump 502 and/orheater 506, or may change some path for the fluid 504 prior tointroduction into the inner chamber 50 of the beverage cartridge 32.Additionally, the processor 512 may select a particular kind of inletnozzle 44 motion or combination of motions based on the type of beveragecartridge 32 that is sensed or a specific user input. These and/or otherinputs to the processor 512 may cause the processor 512 to access memory514 to provide such instructions to various components of the beveragebrewer 10.

Process Flow

FIG. 19 is a process diagram 1900 illustrating possible steps used in anembodiment of the present disclosure.

Block 1902 illustrates configuring a beverage head comprising areceptacle to selectively receive a sealed container when the beveragehead is in a first position (e.g., open). Block 1904 illustratesconfiguring an inlet nozzle to pass through an outer surface of thesealed container and coupling at least a portion of the inlet nozzle toan inner volume of the sealed container when the beverage head is in asecond position (e.g., closed). Block 1906 illustrates maintaining thebeverage container substantially stationary with respect to thesingle-serve beverage device while the beverage head is in the secondposition. Block 1908 illustrates delivering at least a first fluid to abeverage medium in the inner volume of the sealed container through theinlet nozzle. Block 1910 illustrates selectively rotating the inletnozzle with respect to the beverage medium while the inlet nozzle ispassed through the outer surface of the sealed container and coupled tothe inner volume of the sealed container, and when the at least firstfluid is being delivered to the inner volume of the sealed container forat least a portion of a time that the beverage head is in the secondposition. Block 1912 illustrates creating an at least second fluidcomprising at least a portion of the at least first fluid and at least aportion of the quantity of beverage medium during operation of thesingle-serve beverage making device. Block 1914 illustrates coupling anoutlet conduit to the inner volume of the sealed container of beveragemedium. Block 1916 illustrates directing at least a portion of thesecond fluid through the outlet conduit to a receptacle external to thebeverage head.

FIG. 20 illustrates an inlet nozzle in accordance with an aspect of thepresent disclosure.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, pump 502 may direct fluid 2000,which may be one or more fluids, to one or more conduits 2002-2008 atspecified times. As an example, and not by way of limitation, pump 502may deliver fluid 2000 to conduit 2002 for a first time period, thendiscontinue delivery of fluid 2000 to conduit 2002 and begin deliveringfluid 2000 to conduit 2004 for a second time period. It is alsounderstood that delivery of the fluid 2000 to different conduits mayoverlap; for example, delivery of the fluid 2000 to conduit 2002 may endafter delivery of fluid to another conduit, e.g. the conduit 2004, hasbegun. By alternating or staggering the flow of fluid 2000 to differentconduits 2002-2008 during different time periods, fluid 2000 may beselectively delivered through channels 2010-2016 in inlet nozzle 44 toflow ports 74 a-74 b. Flow port 74 a is shown in phantom lines toindicate that flow port 74 a is on a surface not visible from theperspective of FIG. 20. Further, flow ports 74 b and 74 d are shown asbeing approximately in the plane of perspective of FIG. 20, and flowport 74 c is shown as facing the perspective plane of FIG. 20. There maybe fewer or additional flow ports 74 a-d, and the flow ports 74 a-d maybe at any angle, location, or orientation with respect to each other orwith respect to the inlet nozzle 44 without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure.

As the fluid 2000 is selectively delivered to one or more of flow ports74 a-74 b, a sequence of fluid flows 2018-2024 may be created. Althougha sequence of fluid flows 2018-2024 may be sequential, e.g., first fluidflow 2018, then fluid flow 2020, then fluid flow 2022, then fluid flow2024 (also referred to as a “chaser” sequence), any sequence of fluidflows 2018-2024 including but not limited to exclusive and/oroverlapping fluid flows may be employed within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

The sequencing of fluid flows 2018-2024 may be obtained by, for example,pump 502 comprising and/or being coupled to a manifold that has arotating or movable plenum that selectively directs the fluid 2000 toone or more of the conduits 2002-2008. Other means for obtainingselective delivery of fluid 2000 to one or more of the conduits2002-2008 are possible within the scope of the present disclosure.

With or without rotating or otherwise moving the inlet nozzle 44, thefluid flows 2018-2024, through sequencing, upon introduction orproximity to beverage cartridge 32 and/or beverage medium 78 as shown byarrow 2026, may create a fluid flow, agitation, or other movement ofbeverage medium 78 with the fluid flows 2018-2024. Further, control ofthe sequencing of fluid flows 2018-2024 may be performed by processor412, and the speed, order, and pressure of fluid flows 2018-2024 may bevaried or constant during a preparation cycle, or may be combined withrotational, vibrational, and/or other motion of inlet nozzle 44 tocreate a preferred time, concentration, and/or other mixture oragitation of fluid 2000 with beverage medium 78. The control of theorder, speed, and pressure of fluid flows 2018-2024 may also be based onother factors, such as the type of beverage medium 78, the presence orabsence of a beverage cartridge 32, the presence or absence of a cover49 on the beverage cartridge 32, manual inputs or overrides to thebeverage brewer 10, or other factors.

The memory 514 may be implemented in firmware and/or softwareimplementation. The firmware and/or software implementationmethodologies may be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures,functions, and so on) that perform the functions described herein. Amachine-readable medium tangibly embodying instructions may be used inimplementing the methodologies described herein. For example, softwarecodes may be stored in a memory (e.g., memory 514) and executed by aprocessor unit (e.g., processor 512). Memory may be implemented withinthe processor unit or external to the processor unit. As used herein,the term “memory” refers to types of long term, short term, volatile,nonvolatile, or other memory and is not to be limited to a particulartype of memory or number of memories, or type of media upon which memoryis stored.

If implemented in firmware and/or software, the functions may be storedas one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium.Examples include computer-readable media encoded with a data structureand computer-readable media encoded with a computer program.Computer-readable media includes physical computer storage media. Astorage medium may be an available medium that can be accessed by acomputer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readablemedia can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, orother medium that can be used to store desired program code in the formof instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by acomputer; disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD),laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk andBlu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, whilediscs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the aboveshould also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

In addition to storage on computer readable medium, instructions and/ordata may be provided as signals on transmission media included in acommunication apparatus. For example, a communication apparatus mayinclude a transceiver having signals indicative of instructions anddata. The instructions and data are configured to cause one or moreprocessors to implement the functions outlined in the claims.

Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been describedin detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutionsand alterations can be made herein without departing from the technologyof the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. For example,relational terms, such as “above” and “below” are used with respect tobrewers. Of course, if the brewer is inverted, above becomes below, andvice versa. Additionally, if oriented sideways, above and below mayrefer to sides of a brewer. Moreover, the scope of the presentapplication is not intended to be limited to the particularconfigurations of the process, machine, manufacture, composition ofmatter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As oneof ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from thedisclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter,means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developedthat perform substantially the same function or achieve substantiallythe same result as the corresponding configurations described herein maybe utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, theappended claims are intended to include within their scope suchprocesses, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means,methods, or steps.

Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrativelogical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described inconnection with the disclosure herein may be implemented as electronichardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearlyillustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, variousillustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have beendescribed above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether suchfunctionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon theparticular application and design constraints imposed on the overallsystem. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality invarying ways for each particular application, but such implementationdecisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from thescope of the present disclosure.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits describedin connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performedwith a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmablegate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate ortransistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combinationthereof designed to perform the functions described herein. Ageneral-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in thealternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or moremicroprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with thedisclosure may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software moduleexecuted by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A softwaremodule may reside in RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, registers,hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storagemedium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to theprocessor such that the processor can read information from, and writeinformation to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storagemedium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storagemedium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. Inthe alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside asdiscrete components in a user terminal.

In one or more exemplary designs, the functions described may beimplemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on ortransmitted over as one or more instructions or code on acomputer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computerstorage media and communication media including any medium thatfacilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Astorage media may be any available media that can be accessed by ageneral purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and notlimitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM,CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carryor store specified program code means in the form of instructions ordata structures and that can be accessed by a general-purpose orspecial-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purposeprocessor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readablemedium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website,server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable,twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologiessuch as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiberoptic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such asinfrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium.Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc,optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray discwhere disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproducedata optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also beincluded within the scope of computer-readable media.

The description of the disclosure is provided to enable any personskilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modificationsto the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art,and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to othervariations without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples anddesigns described herein but is to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposesof illustration, various modifications may be made without departingfrom the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, thedisclosure is not to be limited by the examples presented herein, but isenvisioned as encompassing the scope described in the appended claimsand the full range of equivalents of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A single-serve beverage making device,comprising: a pump; and a beverage head coupled to the pump, thebeverage head comprising: a receptacle, in which the receptacle isconfigured to selectively receive a sealed container within thereceptacle of the beverage head when the beverage head is in a firstposition, the sealed container comprising an outer surface and an innervolume, wherein the sealed container is configured to contain a quantityof beverage medium within the inner volume of the sealed container; aninlet nozzle coupled to the beverage head, the inlet nozzle configuredto pass through the outer surface of the sealed container to couple atleast a portion of the inlet nozzle to the inner volume of the sealedcontainer when the beverage head is in a second position, the pumpconfigured to deliver at least a first fluid to the quantity of beveragemedium in the inner volume of the sealed container in the receptacle ofthe beverage head through the inlet nozzle while the beverage head is inthe second position, such that an at least second fluid comprising atleast a portion of the at least first fluid and at least a portion ofthe quantity of beverage medium is created during operation of thesingle-serve beverage making device, the receptacle configured tomaintain the sealed container substantially stationary with respect tothe single-serve beverage device while the beverage head is in thesecond position; and an outlet conduit, coupled to the beverage head andconfigured to be coupled to the inner volume of the sealed container ofbeverage medium, in which the outlet conduit is configured to direct atleast a portion of the second fluid to a receptacle external to thebeverage head, wherein the inlet nozzle is configured to selectivelyrotate with respect to the beverage medium while the inlet nozzle ispassed through the outer surface of the sealed container and coupled tothe inner volume of the sealed container and is configured toselectively rotate for at least a portion of the time the at least firstfluid is being delivered to the inner volume of the sealed container. 2.The single-serve beverage making device of claim 1, in which the inletnozzle is configured to selectively vibrate while the inlet nozzle ispassed through the outer surface of the sealed container and in contactwith the inner volume of the sealed container, the selective vibrationof the inlet nozzle occurring for at least a portion of the time whenthe at least first fluid is being delivered to the inner volume of thesealed container.
 3. The single-serve beverage making device of claim 1,in which the rotation of the inlet nozzle comprises a rotational motionin more than one direction of rotation.
 4. The single-serve beveragemaking device of claim 1, in which the inlet nozzle further comprises anouter shaft coupled to the outer surface of the sealed container and aninner platform wherein the inner platform rotates with respect to theouter shaft.
 5. The single-serve beverage making device of claim 1, inwhich the inlet nozzle further comprises at least one flow port, inwhich the at least one flow port is configured to assist in the creationof the at least one second fluid.
 6. The single-serve beverage makingdevice of claim 1, in which the inlet nozzle further comprises at leastone channel, the at least one channel configured to direct the at leastfirst fluid when the inlet nozzle is coupled to the inner chamber of thebeverage container.
 7. The single-serve beverage making device of claim1, in which the inlet nozzle further comprises at least one serration.8. The single-serve beverage making device of claim 1, furthercomprising a controller coupled to the inlet nozzle, in which thecontroller is configured to change a speed of the rotation of the inletnozzle while the inlet nozzle is passed through the outer surface of thesealed container and in contact with the inner volume of the sealedcontainer, the controller configured to change the speed of the rotationof the inlet nozzle when the at least first fluid is being delivered tothe inner volume of the sealed container through the at least one flowport.
 9. A single-serve beverage making device, comprising: a pump; anda beverage head coupled to the pump, the beverage head comprising: areceptacle, in which the receptacle is configured to selectively receivea sealed container within the receptacle of the beverage head when thebeverage head is in a first position, the sealed container comprising anouter surface and an inner volume, wherein the sealed container isconfigured to contain a quantity of beverage medium within the innervolume of the sealed container; an inlet nozzle coupled to the beveragehead, the inlet nozzle configured to pass through the outer surface ofthe sealed container to couple at least a portion of the inlet nozzle tothe inner volume of the sealed container when the beverage head is in asecond position, the pump configured to deliver at least a first fluidto the quantity of beverage medium in the inner volume of the sealedcontainer in the receptacle of the beverage head through the inletnozzle while the beverage head is in the second position, such that anat least second fluid comprising at least a portion of the at leastfirst fluid and at least a portion of the quantity of beverage medium iscreated during operation of the single-serve beverage making device, thereceptacle configured to maintain the sealed container substantiallystationary with respect to the single-serve beverage device while thebeverage head is in the second position; and an outlet conduit, coupledto the beverage head and configured to be coupled to the inner volume ofthe sealed container of beverage medium, in which the outlet conduit isconfigured to direct at least a portion of the second fluid to areceptacle external to the beverage head, wherein the inlet nozzle isconfigured to selectively move with respect to the beverage medium whilethe inlet nozzle is passed through the outer surface of the sealedcontainer and coupled to the inner volume of the sealed container andthe inlet nozzle is configured to selectively move for at least aportion of the time the at least first fluid is being delivered to theinner volume of the sealed container.
 10. The single-serve beveragemaking device of claim 9, in which the inlet nozzle is configured toselectively move while the inlet nozzle is passed through the outersurface of the sealed container and in contact with the inner volume ofthe sealed container, the selective motion of the inlet nozzlecomprising at least one of a selective rotational motion, a selectivevibrational motion, and a selective nutational motion, the selectivemotion of the inlet nozzle occurring for at least a portion of the timewhen the at least first fluid is being delivered to the inner volume ofthe sealed container through the at least one flow port.
 11. Thesingle-serve beverage making device of claim 9, in which the selectivemovement of the inlet nozzle comprises a rotational motion in more thanone direction of rotation.
 12. The single-serve beverage making deviceof claim 9, in which the inlet nozzle further comprises an outer shaftcoupled to the outer surface of the sealed container and an innerplatform wherein the inner platform rotates with respect to the outershaft.
 13. The single-serve beverage making device of claim 9, in whichthe inlet nozzle further comprises at least one flow port, in which theat least one flow port is configured to assist in the creation of the atleast one second fluid.
 14. The single-serve beverage making device ofclaim 9, in which the inlet nozzle further comprises at least onechannel, the at least one channel configured to direct the at leastfirst fluid when the inlet nozzle is coupled to the inner chamber of thebeverage container.
 15. The single-serve beverage making device of claim9, in which the inlet nozzle further comprises at least one serration.16. The single-serve beverage making device of claim 9, furthercomprising a controller, coupled to the inlet nozzle, in which thecontroller is configured to change the selective motion of the inletnozzle while the inlet nozzle is passed through the outer surface of thesealed container and in contact with the inner volume of the sealedcontainer, the controller configured to change the selective motion ofthe inlet nozzle for at least a portion of the time when the at leastfirst fluid is being delivered to the inner volume of the sealedcontainer through the at least one flow port.
 17. A single-servebeverage making device, comprising: a pump; and a beverage head coupledto the pump, the beverage head comprising: a receptacle, in which thereceptacle is configured to selectively receive a sealed containerwithin the receptacle of the beverage head when the beverage head is ina first position, the sealed container comprising an outer surface andan inner volume, wherein the sealed container is configured to contain aquantity of beverage medium within the inner volume of the sealedcontainer; an inlet nozzle coupled to the beverage head, the inletnozzle configured to pass through the outer surface of the sealedcontainer to couple at least a portion of the inlet nozzle to the innervolume of the sealed container when the beverage head is in a secondposition, the pump configured to deliver at least a first fluid to thequantity of beverage medium in the inner volume of the sealed containerin the receptacle of the beverage head through the inlet nozzle whilethe beverage head is in the second position, such that an at leastsecond fluid comprising at least a portion of the at least first fluidand at least a portion of the quantity of beverage medium is createdduring operation of the single-serve beverage making device, thereceptacle configured to maintain the sealed container substantiallystationary with respect to the single-serve beverage device while thebeverage head is in the second position; and an outlet conduit, coupledto the beverage head and configured to be coupled to the inner volume ofthe sealed container of beverage medium, in which the outlet conduit isconfigured to direct at least a portion of the second fluid to areceptacle external to the beverage head, wherein the pump is configuredto selectively provide the at least first fluid to the at least one flowport such that the at least one flow port is selectively activated whilein contact with the beverage medium while the inlet nozzle is passedthrough the outer surface of the sealed container and coupled to theinner volume of the sealed container, and for at least a portion of thetime when the at least first fluid is being delivered to the innervolume of the sealed container for at least a portion of a time that thebeverage head is in the second position.
 18. The single-serve beveragemaking device of claim 17, in which the pump is variably energized topulse the at least first fluid through the at least one flow port. 19.The single-serve beverage making device of claim 17, in which the inletnozzle is configured to selectively move while the inlet nozzle ispassed through the outer surface of the sealed container and in contactwith the inner volume of the sealed container, the selective motion ofthe inlet nozzle comprising at least one of a selective rotationalmotion, a selective vibrational motion, and a selective nutationalmotion, the selective motion of the inlet nozzle configured to occurwhen the at least first fluid is being delivered to the inner volume ofthe sealed container through the at least one flow port.
 20. Thesingle-serve beverage making device of claim 17, further comprising acontroller, coupled to the inlet nozzle, the controller configured tochange the selective motion of the inlet nozzle while the inlet nozzleis passed through the outer surface of the sealed container and incontact with the inner volume of the sealed container, the controllerchanging the selective motion of the inlet nozzle when the at leastfirst fluid is being delivered to the inner volume of the sealedcontainer through the at least one flow port.